Application and Admission Procedures for Degree-Seeking Graduate Students

Also see: Procedures for Non-Degree-Seeking Graduate Students

Complete the Graduate School application form (online or by mail options) and send all necessary supportive documents and a signature on the confirmation statement. Upon the recommendation of a department, a student meeting the basic admission requirements is accepted by the Graduate School to work toward a graduate degree.

A. Admission Requirements
B. How to Apply
C. Departmental Review and Recommended Admission
D. Off-Campus Enrollment in Graduate Courses

A. Admission Requirements:

Candidates for graduate work need to meet the following requirements:

(1) Graduation from an accredited institution whose requirements for the Bachelor's Degree are substantially equivalent to those of Kansas State University.

(2) Undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 or better in the junior and senior years. (Students with a 2.65 - 2.99 GPA may be admitted on a probationary basis under certain conditions.) Some degree programs may require a higher grade point average.

(3) Undergraduate preparation in a field adequate to support advanced work in the field in which the applicant expects to do graduate work. Students lacking preparation in certain areas may be required to do additional work which can not be included in the program of study.

(4) Some Master's degree programs require a test score for the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or the Miller Analogies Test (MAT). The cover sheet for the application form will indicate which programs require a test score.

(5) All doctoral programs in the College of Education require a test score for the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or the Miller Analogies Test (MAT). The cover sheet for the application form will indicate which test is required for each degree program.

(6) International students whose native language is not English must make available the results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL); a minimum score of 550 on the paper-and-pencil test or a minimum score of 213 on the computer-based test is needed on the TOEFL for all programs except the Department of Special Education which requires a minimum score of 600 on the paper-and-pencil test or 250 on the computer-based test. Students with TOEFL scores between 550 and 600 on the paper-and-pencil test or between 213 and 250 on the computer-based test will be required to take an English proficiency test upon arrival at Kansas State before being allowed to enroll to determine if additional English instruction is necessary.

(7) A money order or cashier's check for $25.00 U.S. should accompany all applications for admission for international students. Your application will not be considered without this fee. This money order or cashier's check should be made payable to the Kansas State University Graduate School. Personal checks will not be accepted. Some programs may require an additional application fee.

(8) The Graduate School has set deadlines of February 1 to be considered for fall (August) enrollment; August 1 for spring (January) enrollment; and December 1 for summer (June) enrollment.

B. How to Apply

Complete the Graduate School Application Form (online or by mail) and send all necessary supportive documents and a signature on the confirmation statement.

Completed mail-in applications are to be returned to:
Office of Graduate Studies
Kansas State University
18 Bluemont Hall
1100 Mid-Campus Drive
Manhattan, KS 66506-5301

The cover sheet of the application form outlines all the materials that need to be submitted with the application (e.g., transcripts, test scores, letters of recommendation). The application will be held in the Office of Graduate Studies until all necessary support documentation has arrived. Then the completed application folder is forwarded to the appropriate department for review.

C. Departmental Review and Recommended Admission

The appropriate department will review the application and will make a recommendation to the Graduate School concerning admission. The final decision regarding admission rests with the Graduate School. A letter of denial or admission will be mailed to the applicant. The letter of admission will include the name and phone number of the advisor who has been assigned to work with you.

D. Off-Campus Enrollment in Graduate Courses

Enrollment in an off-campus class does not constitute admission to the Graduate School. An application to the Graduate School must be filed to be considered for admission. Nevertheless, courses taken for graduate credit at off-campus locations may apply to graduate programs if approved by the student's Supervisory Committee. The Graduate Faculty reserves the right to decide on what credit (up to 9 hours) earned by a non-degree student may be applied toward an advanced degree.